Radiator structure



Sept. 11,1934.- L. B. PENDLETON 1g973,383

RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed July 25. 1952 4 SHeets-Sheet 1 BY E ATTOR Y5INVENTORI v [00/5 5 g/vau ra/v Sept. 11, 1934. L. B. PENDLETON RADIATORSTRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed July 25, 1932 I N V EN TOR.

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RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed July 25. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

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RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed'July 25; 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept.11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIATOR STRUCTURE Louis B.Pcndleton, St. Louis, Mo. Application July 25, 1932, Serial No. 624,385

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in radiating structures, and moreparticularly to improvements for obtaining a maximum effective area ofradiation and convection in radiators of so-called sectional type, whilereducing their space requirements.

An object of the present invention is attained in the provision ofindependent structures of highly conductive metal, capable of attachmentto the assembled sections of radiators of prevailing types, in such amanner as to form auxiliary thermal conducting elements so constructedthat they add appreciably to the heating surface of a radiator withoutobjectionably increasing the outside dimensions or weight of such aradiator.

Another object of the invention is attained in the provision ofauxiliary elements which may be readily and detachably secured toradiators of standard type for augmenting the effective heating surfacethereof, and for producing an improved circulation of convectioncurrents; along the sections of the radiator.

A further object of the invention is attained in an improved auxiliaryattachment, susceptible of application to metal radiators of any of theusual types, and which is so constructed that there are not necessarilyrequired any auxiliary fastening expedients such as bolts, rivets or thelike, and hence such that no special skillor tools 9 are necessary forits application.

A still further object of the invention is attained in an improvedarrangement of inlet and outlet connections to the radiator, such that aminimum overall space is required by the radiator, particularly aminimized necessary floor area, for a radiator of a given footage ofheating surface. A particular example of a radiator constructed inaccordance with this object of the invention, consists in a structure inwhich the intake and supply connections, and piping incidental thereto,are disposed inwardly and beheath, rather than at the ends of, the bodyof the radiator, according to practice heretofore prevailing. V 1

Yet another object of the invention is attained in the provision ofauxiliary radiation elements, which possess a substantial inherentresilience; and are thus constructed so as to be self posif tioning withrespect to the usual tubes or corre-' sponding elements of radiatorstructures.

A further object of the invention is attained in an improved result,from the point of View of a manufacturer or dealer of radiationelements, in that, through the use of the auxiliary heating attachmentsto be hereinafterdescribed, a minimum stock of standard radiatorsections may be carried, together with a quantity of the auxiliaryradiating attachments, whereby, through .selecftive combinations of butfew dissimilar parts, a radiator may be constructed to meet any :given'heating requirement, yet employing only a few diiferent varieties ofstock materials.

Further objects and advantages of the inven-' tion will appear as thedescription proceeds, and from the accompanying drawings, illustrating.a presently preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig 1 is a side elevation of a radiator constructed according to thepresent invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections takentransversely of the radiator structure, as viewed respectively alonglines 22 and 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section ofa portion of the structure appearing in Fig. 1, and as viewed along line4--4 in the direction indicated, Figs. 5 and 6 are elevationsillustrating push nipples of the form and proportions preferablyemployed, respectively, as the lower and upper connections betweenadjacent radiator sections, and Fig. '7 is a side elevation resemblingFig. 1, but illustrating an alternate arrangement of supply and returnfittings.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, the radiatorchosen for illustration of the present invention, embodies a pluralityof spaced, parallel sections 5, each consisting of a plurality, forexample four, 'of vertical'parallel tubes 6, the tubes of each sectionterminating in an upper or outer headerportion '7, and a lower or' innerheader portion 8. Extending transversely of one end, and centrallythrough each of the'sections, but'longitudinally of the radiatorconsidered as a whole, is a passage 9 at the outer or upper end, acorresponding pa'ssage'being dis posed at the opposite or inner end ofeach section, as into the header portion 8; the latter passage beingindicated at 10. By preference, the passage 10 isof substantially largerdiameter or sectional area, than the passage 9, fora purpose hereinafterappearing. r v

As appears from Fig. 1, the sections 5 are, by present preference,disposed in spaced relation from each other, endwise of the radiatorstruc-' ture. This spacing is maintained, and the sections connected inassembled relation, through a series of shouldered push nipples 11 (Fig.6) connecting the passages 9 in the upper or outer ends of the section,and a corresponding series of aligned nipples 12 (Fig. 5) extending intoand interconnecting the passages 10, through the "his till

header portion 8 at the lower or inner end of each section. Mypreference is to employ shouldered push nipples rather than threadedconnections between the sections, and to maintain the joints between thenipples and passages 9 and 12, in fluid tight assembly, through the useof tie rods 13, one of which is disposed along the upper or outerextremity of the assembly, a similar rod being by preference disposednear the lower end thereof. The ends of the tie rods 13 may be threadedand provided with nuts or the like, serving to hold the several sectionsand the nipples 11 and 12, in assembled relation. While not absolutelyessential to the practice of certain other principles of the inventionto be later discussed, I prefer to space the radiator sections inaccordance with the dis-.

tance between the shouldersof eachof the nip ples l1 and 12, thus moredesirably providing for vertical circulation of air between sections. Itwill be seen from the drawings that the diameter of the nipples is lessthan the diameterof the bosses usually employed between the sections attheir points of connection; in fact the push nipples, particularly thoseat the upper ends of the section, are kept as small as possibleconsistent with good internal circulation, so as to minimize theirobstructing effect with'respect to the rising air currents between thesections. I l

The construction of the shouldered nipples ap-- pears clearly in Figs. 5and 6, from which it is seen that the push-ends-are of tapered diameter,while the intermediate portions are of even diameter. The shoulders maybe grooved or machined, and successfully used without gaskets, although,if desired, some suitable form of packing material may be employedbetween the shoulders of the nipples and the bosses of the adjacentsection.

The several sections 5 are preferably uniform, except for the sectionsat the ends of the radiator structure, which may be imperforate on oneside, so as to constitute a closed end of each of the longitudinalpassages formed collectively by the sections and the nipples 11 and 12.

According to preference, the intake or supply, and the outletconnections, are not made to the end sections of the radiator. Suchprevailing practice is needlessly wasteful of floor area since theconnection of the supply, and the radiator outlet or return to the endsof the outside or end radiator sections, increases the length of thestructure as a whole.

, I have accordingly arranged the assembly for connection to the supplyand return passages, at points other than the outer ends of the radiatorassembly. To this end, my preference is to construct the sectionadjacent the end sections, to extend somewhat below the body of theradiator, thus forming an extra deep header portion 14, at the bottom ofeach penultimate section. It will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, that thepenultimate sections of deeper type, are each provided with a throughopening 15 which may, as preferred, be threaded, so as to permitconnection into either side thereof, of either the supply, or the returnpiping. The penultimate supply and return sec-'- tions, indicatedgenerally at 16, may also be provided with legs 17, which in assembly,serve to support the radiator somewhat inwardly of its opposite ends. Ifdesired, however, the legs 1'? may be omitted; and the radiator mountedon swing joints (not shown) so as to provide a structure of a typeadapted to be tilted into and out of a wall recess, for example, inaccordance with the principles setforth in my copending application ofSerial No. 548,498,,filed July 3, 1931 which has now matured into PatentNo. 1,927,991 issued Sept. 26, 1933.

In the example shown, Fig. 1 indicates an arrangement in which a supplypipe 18 is connected to a control valve 19, thence through a threadednipple 20 into the opening 15 at one side of the supply section. Analternate arrangement is shown in Fig. 7, in which the supply nipple 20would be connected inside of, rather than outside of the supply section16. Since only one side of the passage 15 is employed at a time, theopposite side may be closed as by a threaded plug or like element, (notshown).

The relation between the return section 16 and the return piping, isclosely analogous to that pre vailing between the supply line and thesupply section. Fig. 1 shows, in full lines, a threaded nipple 21connected into the outside of the return section. The nipple 21 isconnected through a trap 22 having connection, in turn, with the returnpipe 23. An alternate arrangement of the trap and return pipe appears inFig. l.

Since the passage 10 of the supply section 16, overlies the passage fromthe supply pipe 20, it is my preference to make provision to prevent thereturn of condensate in a steam radiator, directly back into the supplypiping. To this end I have provided a baffle member 24 in the supplysection, of substantially V shape in outline, and having. divergentlower surfaces. The upper or outer surface of the baiile member is,according to the preferred arrangement, such that a trough-like portiontherein forms a continuation of the passages formed by the nipples 12and the lower portion of the passages 10 through the several assembledsections 5 and 16. It thus appears that, due to the provision of thebaffle member 24:, a continuous water-trough or passage is formed at thelower portion ofthe conduit formed by the nipples 12, this passageleading into the return section 16.

From the foregoing it will appear that, by ar ranging the supply andreturn fittings and connections, entirely beneath the body of theradiator, the required floor area is keptat a minimum, and is notappreciably greater than that actually subtending the radiator proper.The arrangement described is of substantial advantage in the case of aradiator intended to be installed in a wall recess or wall cabinet,since the length of such a recess or cabinet may, by this expedient, bekept at a minimum.

Proceeding now toa description of the expedients for augmenting theeilective area of radiation, my preference is to employ, in detachablebridging relation between each adjacent pair of tubes of adjacentsections, an open side, trough-v like flue member indicated generally at25. The ends of the member 25 are open, as best appears in Fig. 3, as isone or the innermost side wall. I prefer to form the oppositetube-engaging walls of each of the members 25, of a somewhat sharplyangulate section, whereby to form a series of open sided air channels,the major corrugations in the side walls of the flue members beingindicated at 26. The exposed face of each of the several members 25, isalso preferably corrugated, on

somewhat closer centers, preferably, than in the case of the side walls26. The exposed corrugations, which normally occur at the front or rearside of the radiator, may be of curvilinear contour as shown, and asindicated at 27. The individual flue members 25 are, by preference,formed of a metal, such as sheet copper or aluminum, characterized by asubstantial degree of heat conductivity. It is also, my preference toemploy a sheet metal of such gauge and temper that the formed elementsdisplay a substantial resilience. This feature enables the individualflue members such as 25, to be laterally compressed, sufficiently toenable their insertion between the adjacent aligned tubes of adjoiningsections, in detachable bridging relation thereto, so as to dispensewith the necessity of any bolts, holding straps-or the like, formaintaining the flue members in position. Obviously, if required for anyspecial reason or in any unusual installation, any of the usualfastening expedients such as stove bolts, metal straps, bands or thelike might be employed. It will alsobe obvious that the flue members maybe constructed without corrugations, but remain perfectly-plain faced,and that the shape and form may be varied in a number of ways withoutdeparting from the underlying purpose.

As a means of preventing any accidental or casual displacement of thevertical flue members in a direction transversely of the radiator, it ismy preference to provide lugs or projections such as 28, on the tubes 6,the lugs being say or" triangular section or aspect, and to form a corresponding angular lug-engaging channel such as 29, in each of theopposite lateral faces of the individual flue members.

It will appear from the foregoing that, due to the inherent resilienceof the sheet material from which the members 25 are formed, each flue islaterally resilient in either direction, that is, either crosswise ofthe radiator proper or endwise thereof. Thus the elements may be appliedand brought into predetermined relation with l the tubes, even thoughthere may be some variation in dimensions between centers of the tubes,either transversely or longitudinally of the radiator proper or perhapsa variation in the diameter of the radiator tubes. t will also appearthat the several iiue elements 25 are self-positioned.

Where still further increase in effective radiating area is desired, Iemploy internally of each element 25, a flue of trcughlike open sidedshape, and bifurcate aspect in section, characterii ized by opposed legs31 having outwardly flared terminals 32, engaged in grooves 33 therefor,formed between the adjacent corrugations 2'7, internally of theenclosing element 25. element 30 is, by preference although notnecessarily,

' characterized by opposed recessed portions or corrugations 34, a pairof each of which are provided on the opposite lateral. faces or legs ofthe element 30. The grooves or corrugations 34, as appears from Fig. t,serve to receive the edge or apex portions of the corrugations 26, inthe member 25. The elements 30, like the elements 25, are preferablyformed of resilient sheet material of high thermal conductivity, such assheet copper or aluminum, and, as preferred, are also of substantialinherent resilience.

It will appear that, in assembly, the flue elements 30, while internalof the elements 25, are disposed in opposed relation thereto, the opensides of the paired elements Ell-25 being oppositely presented, wherebyeach of the companion flue elements serves as a lateral closure for theother element of the pair. The element 30, associated with its companionelement 25, serves a further purpose in that, in assembly, theresilience of the flue 30 augments that of the cor. panion flue 25 andthus tends to wedge the legs or" the member 25 outwardly into closethermal contact with the adjacent tubes of the radiator proper.

The manner of assembly of the sections of the radiator of my preferredtype, is thought to be apparent from Fig. 1. It may, however, be notedthat the sections 5 and 16, being arranged in predetermined. sequence ororder for assembly, the nipples 11 and 12 are disposed between eachadjacent pair of sections, the tie rods 13 are inserted, nuts applied tothe opposite ends of the tie rods and threaded up, after which theradiator proper is assembled ready for installation.

The manner of application of the flue elements 25, is thought to beapparent from Fig. from which it appears that between eachlongitudinally adjacent pair of tubes 6 there is inserted, preferably bysliding down endwise, the troughlike er 25. If desired, however, theflue members may usually be sprung suiiiciently to permit of theirinsertion by movement transversely into the space between the adjacentsections. If the additional auxiliary members 30 are desired, onethereof is inserted into each of the flue members 25, preferably afterthe latter is assembled in place, as by telescoping or sliding endwise,the member 30 into the associated member 25. As best appears from Fig.l, the described arrangement of auxiliary flue members offers a distinctadvantage, in that while the auxiliary heating surfaces of the fines,are held in firm thermal conducting relation to the adjacent tube, theperiphery of each of the individual tubes of the radiator proper, issubstantially unobstructed, the normal radiating area thereof being leftunimpaired to any appreciable degree, so that, while the radiating areamay be augmented to any reasonable extent, the use of the auxiliaryheating elements does not appre ciably detract from the initialradiating surface of the radiator to which the elements attached.

It will appear as a further advantage, that the fines or auxiliaryelements 25 may, as desired, be applied only to the exposed side of theradiator. If it is then desired still further to augment the heatingeffect, the auxiliary elements may, in similar manner, be applied fromthe r ar sur face of the radiator. The corrugated metal. surface at theexposed side is ornamental, and adds, rather than detracts, fromtheappearance of the structure. Obviously, the metal may be varied inform or design and coated or finished in any color or manner desired.

It is also my preference, in installing the aux iliary heating fluessuch as 25 and/or. 30, to employ these elements in a len th somewhatless than the length or" the tubes comprising the body of the radiatorproper, such as the steam or water conducting tubes 6. The ch s nrelation, as to length, of the parts will appea rem Fig. i. arrangementhas the advani e of leaving open ends of the flues entirely freeandunobstructed by the connecting nipples located above and below theiropen ends, so that, in service, substantial convection currents arenoticeable at all times through the auxiliary fines, as well through theradiator fiues. By employing a series of nipples 11, of a somewhatsmaller diarn-- eter than the nipples 12, a free sweep of air outwardlyof the top of the flue elements and the radiator sections, is aided, therelation also being such that the members 25 may be inserted by slidingdownwardly from the top of the radiator between adjacent sectionsthereof without requiring any connections to be disturbed;

The description of the present example is pred icated upon the use ofradiator sections which may be of usual cast iron types, since this isthe type usually employed for domestic heating. This type of radiatoris, however, very heavy in proportion to the footage of radiation area,and the present expedient enables, in either new or existinginstallations, the heating efiectiveness of usual types of cast ironradiator, to be much more than double, with only a few percent increaseover the original weight, and with no increase in overall dimensions orfioor space required.

There results from the described combination of cast sections and sheetmetal auxiliary radiation, a desirable heat-retaining effect of, theheavier cast tubes, coupled with avastly augmented radiation resulting,first, from the great area of exposed metal, and, secondly, from theprovision of distinct connection fiues along, but without obstructionto, the tubular sections of the radiator proper.

As above mentioned, the facilities for augmenting as may be desired, theheating area of a radiator, enables a manufacturer, dealer or jobber, bystocking only a minimum number of types of apparatus, to supply at aminimum fixed charge, any reasonable footage of radiation desired by thecustomer. For example it is only necessary to stock a supply of sections5, sections 16, and the two types of auxiliary heating elementsindicated respectively at 25 and 30. From these parts can be assembled aradiator of any desired practical capacity.

It will appear that the foregoing specific decription relates to apresently preferred example, looted only by way of illustration, and notof limitation of my invention. It is obvious a number of changes may bemade in the types of radiators to which the auxiliary heating elementsare applied; that such elements may themselves be varied in constructionand form, and that the foregoing as well as many other changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. An auxiliary radiating structure for use with radiators of sectionaltype, said structure including a furcate, transversely resilient member,adapted for disposition between and along adjacent radiator sections,and a wedging element disposed between the furcations of said auxiliarystructure.

2. A tubular element for detachable application to a radiator of tubularsectional type, consisting of paired trough-like members in in vertednested relation.

3.1m attachment for radiators of sectional type in which the individualsections formed of spaced tubes for the circulation of a heating medium,said attachment including a furcate member formed of folded, resilientconductive sheet metal, and being of trough-like form, the sides of thetrough-like structure being corrugated, with the corrugations thereofextending longitudinally of the structure, a second troughlike elementof furcate section, having seats in its side walls for interengagementwith the cor rugations of the first trough-like the second trough-likemember being disposed internally of the first and in thermal contactthereto, whereby a folded portion of each trough structure constitutes aclosure for the companion. structure.

t. In a radiator of sectional construction, a plurality of sections, airflues disposed between and along the sections, and a plurality ofexposed, shouldered push nipples connecting the upper and lower ends ofsaid sections, the upper nipples being of substantially smaller diameterthan those connecting the lower ends of the sections.

5. A sectional type radiator having supply and return connections nearits lowermost portion, and connected into separate sections eachdisposed inwardly of the end sections of the radiator.

6. A radiator of sectional type including a supply section and a returnsection, said supply and return sections being disposed inwardly of theends of the radiator structure, and supply and return piping disposedbelow the radiator and inwardly of the ends thereof.

'7. A section for use in a sectional radiator, having an outer or upperpassage therethrough, an intermediate passage therethrough and an inneror lower passage arranged selectively for connection into a supply orreturn line.

8. In a sectional type radiator, a supply section and a return section,additional sections disposed outwardly of the supply and returnsections, and

battle member disposed near the lower end of said section and above thesupply passage into the b .l "y of said section.

9. An auxiliary metal flue element or gill, adapted for detachableapplication to a heat radiator of vertical sectional type, said elementhaving one side open over its length, and provided with open endsdefining a cold air intake area and a air discharge, and characterizedby absence of air-deflecting portions at or near its ends, the flueelement being further provided with preformed longitudinal seats on itsopposite sides, said seats being located near the normally exposed faceof the element, whereby to permit the element to be disposed, in greaterpart, substantially within the lateral confines of the section withwhich it is employed.

10. An auxiliary metal flue element or gill adapted for detachableapplication to a heat radiator of vertical sectional type, said elementhaving one side open over its length, being provided with open ends forthe intake and diucharge of air, and characterized by absence ofair-deflecting portions near said ends, said element being formed ofsheet metal, channeled to define both internal and external longitudinalair passages, and to provide defined seating portions for engagementwith adjacent radiator sections, said seating portions being located onthe element so that the element is disposed, in greater part, betweenthe sections of the radiator with which it is employed, andsubstantially within the lateral confines thereof.

11. In combination with a radiator of vertical sectional type, in whichthe sections are connected near their upper and lower ends, a hollowmetal air flue element or gill, consisting of a structure open over itslength on that side which is to be disposed innermost of the radiator,being open at its opposite ends to provide air intake and dischargeareas and characterized by absence of air deflecting portions at or nearits ends, the element being of such a length and so located as todispose its intake area immediately above the lower interconnection ofthe sections, and its discharge areas below the upper interconnection ofthe sections.

12. In combination with a radiator of vertical sectional type, in whichthe sections are interconnected near their upper and lower ends, ahollow metal air-flue element or gill consisting of a structure openover its length, along that side which is to be disposed innermost ofthe radiator, the flue element being open at its opposite ends toprovide air intake and discharge areas and characterized by absence ofair-defiecting portions at or near its ends, the element being of such alength and so located in the radiator as to dispose its intake areasimmediately above the lower interconnection of the sections and itsdischarge areas below, the upper interconnection of the sections, andcompanion longitudinal seats on the tube elements of the sections andthe flue element, the seats on the flue element being disposed justinwardly of its normally exposed face, whereby to locate the fiueelement, at least in greater part, within the lateral confines of thesection and radiator with which it is employed.

13. A radiator of sectional type, including a section disposed inwardlyof the end sections of the radiator and a plurality of connections onsaid section, enabling supply or return piping thereto to be extended inselective positions from said inwardly disposed section.

14. A radiator structure of sectional type including, with the radiatorsections, supply and return valves and fittings, the supply and returnpiping and fittings being directed outwardly and endwise of the radiatorand being confined within longitudinal dimensions not substantiallyexceeding the overall length of the sectional body 01 the radiator.

15. A radiator assembly including elements providing a plurality ofheating-fluid passages, substantially vertical flue elements in thermalcontact with said passages, supply and return connections communicatingwith the fluid passages, outwardly directed fittings communicating withsaid connections, said connections and fittings being connected into thefluid passages at points inwardly of the ends of the radiator, wherebysubstantially to restrict the dimensional requirements of said fittingsto the overall length of the heating elements of the radiator.

LOUIS B. PENDLETON.

